With Northeast Florida’s population growing, the new 324 area code is joining 904 to serve the Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Fernandina Beach, Orange Park and surrounding communities.
Approved in May by the Florida Public Service Commission, the 324 area code will expand the area’s supply of telephone numbers.
Customers will keep their current telephone numbers, but new customers, or requests for additional lines, may be assigned the 324 area code.
With the addition, 10-digit dialing will be required to make local calls (the area code plus the seven-digit telephone number).
“As Florida’s 4th originally assigned area code, the 904 area code has a long history of adapting to Florida’s growth,” PSC Chairman Andrew Fay said in a news release.
“This approved relief was the first of its kind for Jacksonville as the 324 area code overlay is designed to meet the increased demand for new numbers in this thriving area.”
Telephone numbers in Florida and throughout the U.S. are governed by the North American Numbering Plan Administrator.
In October 2021, the administrator forecast the need for 904 area code relief. An industry meeting was held in January and the administrator filed a petition with the PSC in February favoring the “all-services distributed overlay plan.”
Commission staff held a virtual public workshop on March 23 to educate and receive input from affected customers.
Visit www.floridapsc.com for more information.